Backpacks stuffed with new supplies, little hands holding bright yellow folders ... It's that time of the year again.

Children aligned the halls of Mountain View Core Knowledge School on Wednesday in Cañon City for their first day of school.

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Both the Florence-Penrose School District and the Cañon City School District will have a half day today for students in kindergarten through sixth grade and ninth-graders.

"That allows sixth-graders and ninth-graders to have half a day in the building, transitioning to their new school, learning their schedules and meeting their teachers," said Florence-Penrose School District Superintendent Rhonda Vendetti.

The first full day of school for Cañon City, Florence and Penrose students is Friday.

When school resumes its regular schedule next week, Vendetti said Wednesdays will still be an early-release day for the Florence-Penrose School District.

Cañon City Police Chief Paul Schultz reminds students and parents that school and student safety is a No. 1 priority for the department.

Residents are urged to adhere to the 20 mph maximum speed limit in marked, designated school zones. Schultz said officers will be conducting ongoing traffic-safety patrols to ensure the safety of the children and crossing guards.

Schultz also reminds citizens that passing a stopped school bus with its stop sign deployed and flashing lights activated is illegal.

"Remember that during the school year, students will be waiting for buses, walking or riding their bikes, and may not be watching for oncoming traffic," a press release from Schultz said.

According to Schultz's press release, School Resource Officers, Robyn Vidmar and Tim Bell, will be patrolling area schools throughout the year.

"This is the second year this program has been in place, and we've had a lot of good feedback from the community and the schools," said Schultz. "Our police motto of 'protect and serve' has never meant more than when we have the opportunity to spend time with the children and keep them safe."

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